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“Then propose something I’ll agree to. Pronouncing what I won’t do isn’t good enough.” I stare from one to the other, unwilling to back down.
Tácito rubs his face. “How about you agree to hold off on taking assignments until we all agree on your new profession.”
I stare hard at the two men holding me hostage. Their stiff stance tells me they aren’t posturing. They are completely serious, as they were when Valentino demanded we marry. This makes the second stipulation requiring further discussion.
“How many more conditions do you have?”
“Don’t run.”
I open my mouth to protest, but think better of it. “If I agree to the first two, your third condition won’t be a problem. For the time being, I promise not to leave until we’ve reached an understanding.”
Tácito and Valentino contemplate me in the ensuing silence. It is so quiet the drops from the IV fluid fill the space.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
“Fine, we’ll leave you to think things over.” Valentino walks toward the door to leave.
I turn to Tácito. “I guess this leaves you to untie me.”
Valentino pauses, his back to me and Tácito. “I’ve told you the price for your freedom. Tácito will not defy me in this.” Then he leaves without a backward glance.
With just the two of us in the room, I bet myself that I can convince Tácito to free me.
“I’m going to check your stitches to make sure you don’t require new ones after all the twisting you did.”
Yes! This will be my opportunity.
Tácito raises my bed until I’m upright and he works around the ropes to examine me, dashing my hopes of freedom. When he gets to my face, he removes the bandage. His eyes darken, the spectral gray becoming hardened steel. Yet, his fingers are gentle as they apply fresh gauze to the cut on my cheek. “You’re healing well. In another five to seven weeks, you’ll be good as new.”
“Are you saying that if I were a patient at your hospital, you’d keep me for eight weeks while I recover?”
A ghost of a smile flits across Tácito’s lips. “You’re so transparent. This is my hospital. I work at someone else’s. Understand the difference?”
“Yeah.” I push my head deeper into my pillow. “Unlike other hospitals that discharge patients when they can manage on their own, here, you make whatever rules you want to keep me on bed rest.”
He cups my undamaged cheek and stares at my mouth. His thumb brushes my lips, startling a gasp from me. I feel the caress travel through my body and my breathing deepens.
Tácito lowers his head and I can’t look away from his lips. How many times have I avoided staring at his mouth because I had no right to think of him as anything but my friend? But Tácito has ripped the veil off our friendship. If I let him do this, won’t kissing him be as bad as agreeing to his and Valentino’s crazy terms?
I want to turn away, but I’m frozen in time, watching him draw closer until his lips press against mine. He brushes against me and I sigh my surrender against his mouth. His kiss is as gentle as he is. Sweet and innocent. He lures me in, an opportunity to cleanse my history and replace it with him. If not for the ropes binding my arms to the bed, I’d hug him close until our hearts sync.
Tácito takes his time exploring my lips, licking me to learn my taste before nipping a silent demand to open to him. I do, thinking I can handle his tenderness. This kind of kissing is new to me. I’m used to kisses from men who were frenzied, domineering, and honestly, not that good.
Tácito sweeps his tongue inside my mouth with the same slow discovery that he’d given my lips. Languid strokes fuel a new craving inside me, but I curb the desire to take over because I’m discovering that I like being on the receiving end of such care. His innocence does not hide the hunger beneath his touch. I don’t know how long we stay like this, discovering and savoring each other. When Tácito pulls away, I pout, unable to hide my reluctance at our separation.
He caresses my swollen lips. Wonder fills his eyes. “That was better than all my dreams put together.”
“Was that your first kiss?”
He nods, a light blush staining his cheeks. “You’ll have all my firsts.”
I blink away my tears and peer into my lap, unable to meet his stare. Guilt eats at me because I am nowhere close to being as unchaste. I’m no Valentino, acquiring and disposing bedmates on a whim, but I’ve had my share of lovers.
Tácito chucks me under the chin. “My chastity has always been my choice. I will never begrudge you for what’s in the past, for finding pleasure amongst the pain. We good?”
I nod, despite the residual guilt his acceptance can’t wash away.
He smiles. “I’m glad, because Valentino and I are your future and I can’t wait to share you with him. Only him.”
